Dava School House, Dava Moor, Grantown on Spey, PH26 3PU

Property Summary

The perfect combination of character and comfort, the Dava School and School House is a sympathetically restored, beautiful, 3-4 bedroom residence on the edge of the Dava Moor.  Dava School educated the children a small community of hill farmers, gamekeepers and railway station staff when it opened in the 1870s, when the majority of the local population still spoke Gaelic. This former luxury B&B has proven commercial potential and would, equally, make a very comfortable family or multi-generational home.  There is scope to convert the garage into further accommodation, subject to planning permission. With stunning views across the moor, with woods to the side and fields to the rear, Dava School House is located approximately 7 miles from Grantown, 14 miles from Forres. Lochindorb, with opportunities for kayaking, swimming and nature-watching, is just 3 miles away.  Wildlife and birds are in abundance in this idyllic rural spot.

Accommodation comprises 3/4 bedrooms, a substantial sitting/dining room, 2 bathrooms, utility room and dining/kitchen.   A perfect family home or lifestyle opportunity for anyone looking to live in truly outstanding surroundings, yet with easy access to all amenities.

Immediately entering into the beautiful pine floored hall, a door to the left opens to a carpeted staircase leading to the private upper suite comprising seating area, large bedroom and en suite.

Upstairs (North Suite)

The upper hallway contains a convenient storage cupboard and provides access to a fantastic private suite comprising sitting room, bedroom and en suite.   On reaching the top of the stairs, a lovely triple aspect sitting area provides beautiful views across the Dava.  2 Velux windows and 2 vertical windows with blinds make this a bright, airy, and very functional space. This private suite is perfectly suited for guest accommodation.

Bedroom 1 (4.9m x 4.7m)

A superb dual aspect king-size bedroom with en-suite.  With 4 windows, coombed ceilings and a large double built-in wardrobe this beautiful bright bedroom has fantastic views across the garden.

En suite (1.1m x 2.8m)

A bright, modern en suite containing a 2-piece white suite comprising pedestal basin with tile backsplash and wall mounted mirror, and a WC.  A large mains shower compartment with both rainfall and hand-held shower heads.  Velux window providing natural light and ventilation.  Wall mounted towel rail and glass shelf.  Wood-effect vinyl flooring.

Leave the North Suite by the same staircase to return to the downstairs hallway.

School Room/sitting/dining room (6.0m x 7.1m)

Accessed from the downstairs hallway, this substantial, bright, dual aspect impressive and characterful school room has high ceilings, a feature stone wall and deep window ledges.  Stripped pine doors that originally were the entrance and access to the boys’ and girls’ toilets now provide ample cupboard space.  An amazing semi-circular stone fireplace inset to the wall, with a deep beam wooden mantle, houses a wood burning stove set on a slate hearth.  Wood effect laminate flooring, wooden dado rail.    A tasteful, cute little bar sits in the corner of this generous space.

WC (1.1m x 2.9m)

Further along the hallway there is a convenient downstairs WC containing a white 2-piece suite comprising pedestal basin with tiled backsplash and mirrored bath and WC.  Wood effect laminate flooring, roller blind.

Utility Room (2.9m x 2.4m)

To the rear of the house this spacious utility room has 2 deep linen cupboards one of which houses the 2 hot water tanks.  Convenient work surface has ample wall mounted shelves above with space for a tumble dryer, washing machine, and further freezer.  A large wall mounted towel rail makes this the perfect spot for drying clothes on inclement days.

Office/bedroom  (3.1m x 2.5m)

A bright single bedroom/office to the side of the house with a window looking towards mature pine trees.  Roller blind.

Shower room (1.3m x 3.5m)

A convenient downstairs shower room containing a 2-piece white suite comprising WC and pedestal basin.  A corner shower enclosure houses an electric shower.  Tile-effect vinyl flooring, 2 windows with roller blinds.

Dining Kitchen (4.0m x 5.1m)

Along the hallway and to the left, the dining kitchen is reached. With stunning views across the rear garden to the woods and hills behind this bright, dual aspect, kitchen has ample space for a dining table to seat 4.  A wide range of lower and upper cabinets provide great storage with a long countertop/breakfast bar sitting beneath the window looking to the side garden.  An oil-fired Raeburn provides and amazing feature, as well as warmth and cooking.   Wood panelled walls, roller blinds.  Wood-effect laminate flooring.

From the kitchen there is an open space/inner lobby, ideal for bookcases, from which a door opens to the snug/bedroom and stairs to the south-side upper floor.

Snug/bedroom 3 (3.3m x 4.1m)

To the front of the house this lovely, cosy room would be equally suited as a double bedroom or wonderfully warm, snug/living room.  A characterful deep stone fireplace with wooden beam surround houses a wood burning stove set on a slate hearth.

Upstairs (South)

This upper landing is reached via the stairs leading from the snug/bedroom 3.

Bedroom 2  (3.3m x 3.9m)

A bright upstairs bedroom with superb views across the Dava Moor.  Coombed ceilings and feature cast iron fireplace with wooden surround add cosiness, comfort and ambience.

Flexible living space (3.3m x 1.8m)

To the rear of the house, this flexible space could be utilised as a single bedroom with ample built-in wardrobes, or equally suited as a dressing room or further study.

Garage/workshop (8.5m(at widest) x 6.1m)

From the main hallway, there is a door to the garage to the side of the house.  This substantial double garage/workshop has 2 garage doors to the side one of which is electric, and a further half glazed door leading to the walled garden.  With a concrete floor, power and ample storage this garage/ workshop may have a potential to convert to further accommodation should a purchaser desire.

Outside

To the rear of the house is a lovely walled garden, secure for children and pets and ideal for relaxing on garden furniture, or perhaps keeping chickens. To the front, there is a wide, well-made driveway and areas of lawn bounded by trees.

Grantown on Spey is a traditional Scottish town nestled close to the River Spey and Cairngorms National Park, providing a superb a variety of outdoor pursuits, including fishing, golf, hiking, watersports and more.  The town has a medical centre, community hospital, primary and secondary schools, plus a variety of shops, hotels and other local services. The nearest hospital with A&E provision is Raigmore in Inverness (approx. 30 miles), although there is a minor injury unit in Grantown itself.  There are excellent road links to the A9 north and south at nearby Aviemore, where there is also a train station giving access to the main Scotrail network.  There is a bus service to Inverness, providing access to the wider transport network. Nearest airports are Inverness and Aberdeen.

Forres is a thriving small town in the northeast of Scotland. With an active high street offering butchers, bakers, cafes, gift shops, hairdressers, a tailor, post office and grocery shops, it continues to offer a wide selection of services. The town boasts large parks and woodland walks, having been placed, or won, the relevant section of Britain in Bloom on multiple occasions. Primary and secondary schooling is available in the town, with the Drumduan Steiner school offering alternative education and Gordonstoun private school a mere 11 miles away with transport available daily.

Outdoor opportunities are incredible with the beautiful white sand beaches of Findhorn less than 5 miles away, offering sailing, paddleboarding and wild swimming, skiing is available in both The Lecht and Cairngorms, both less than an hour away, and endless opportunities for walking, biking, horse riding and hiking in the vast forests of Culbin and Newtyle.

Please note that all measurements and distances are approximate and provided for guidance only.